Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP)
A State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Medicare, serving Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono Counties.
What is HICAP
HICAP is a State grant program that helps Medicare beneficiaries identify and understand Medicare programs and plans, including Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplemental insurance policies, Medicare Savings Programs, long-term care insurance, and other public and private health insurance coverage options.
Through one-on-one personalized counseling, education, and outreach, HICAP provides accurate and objective information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families. This allows individuals to better understand and utilize their Medicare benefits. For more information about HICAP in the state of California, visit the California Department of Aging.
How can we help you?
Mrs. Jones contacted HICAP because she was having difficulty getting her heart medication. She was on a Part D plan that covered her medications in February, but the 20% cost for her medical care was too expensive. An agent told Mrs. Jones that she could join an HMO plan that did not have a premium and cost $0 to see a Primary Care Physician. She wanted to keep her prescription drug plan, because it covered all her medications, and the agent told her it wouldn't be a problem. If she joined the HMO "Only" Plan, the one without drug coverage, she could keep her Part D plan the way it was. Unfortunately Mrs. Jones received wrong information.
Mrs. Jones enrolled in the HMO "Only" Plan, under the advisement of the agent. However, this enrollment, kicked her out of her Part D plan for April. When she discovered the truth and what she should have done, it was too late. Now Mrs. Jones was without her heart medication and very stressed about how she was going to pay for her life sustaining medication.
Dianne Marcil, Registered HICAP Counselor, spoke with Mrs. Jones to find out how she could help. After talking to her, Dianne discovered that Mrs. Jones is eligible for the Extra Help for prescription costs because she is low income. Fortunately, Medicare has developed a "safety net" so that individuals who run into situations where they find themselves without prescription drug coverage, can still get their life sustaining medications. (read more)